Written Answers Wednesday 20 September 2006

Scottish Executive

Antisocial Behaviour

Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it provides to local authorities in respect of the issuing of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) to under 16-year-olds and whether it recommends that authorities try all other options before applying for ASBOs.

Hugh Henry: Scottish Executive guidance on antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) published in October 2004 makes clear that there are a wide range of interventions available to support young people and address troublesome behaviour before an application for an ASBO is considered. This guidance also states, however, that "there must be flexibility to allow for use of an ASBO before the full range of options has been exhausted where there is a pressing need to protect the community".

  The full guidance is available on our dedicated antisocial behaviour website:

  http://www.antisocialbehaviourscotland.com/asb/files/Guidance%20on%20Antisocial%20Behaviour%20Orders.pdf.

Care of Elderly People

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the hospital admission rates of elderly people as a result of falls have been in Dundee in each of the last three years for which information is available, broken down by postcode area.

Lewis Macdonald: Due to confidentiality issues associated with small numbers, the information requested has been presented by intermediate geography zone rather than postcode area in table 1.

  Table 1. Hospital Admission Rates1 for Elderly2 Patients Admitted as a Result of Falls3 in Dundee4 ; by Intermediate Zones for the Time Period Ending 31 December 2003 to 31 December 2005

  

 Intermediate Geography
 Intermediate Geography
 2003
 2004
 2005P


 Description
 Code
 Number
 Rate1
 Number
 Rate1
 Number
 Rate1


 Dundee City
 
 583
22.6
 642
24.9
 585
22.7


 Perth Road
 S02000199
 14
 35.6
 16
 42.3
 9
 23.8


 Westend
 S02000200
 12
 12.8
 14
 15.0
 26
 27.9


 City Centre
 S02000201
 17
 33.5
 13
 25.0
 6
 11.5


 Logie and Blackness
 S02000202
 18
 18.8
 32
 33.9
 25
 26.5


 Docks and Wellgate
 S02000203
 30
 47.6
 19
 30.0
 21
 33.1


 Balgay
 S02000204
 11
 11.5
 19
 19.8
 26
 27.0


 Menzieshill
 S02000205
 27
 27.7
 27
 28.0
 23
 23.9


 Broughty Ferry Wes
 S02000206
 27
 20.1
 29
 21.0
 32
 23.2


 Craigie and Craigiebank
 S02000207
 33
 22.3
 41
 28.0
 39
 26.6


 Stobswell
 S02000208
 14
 29.3
 15
 30.7
 15
 30.7


 Law
 S02000209
 20
 16.4
 35
 29.6
 32
 27.0


 West Ferry
 S02000210
 16
 17.3
 16
 17.1
 17
 18.2


 Hilltown
 S02000211
 40
 35.0
 46
 40.8
 26
 23.1


 Barnhill
 S02000212
 22
 18.6
 16
 13.7
 21
 17.9


 Broughty Ferry East
 S02000213
 25
 29.8
 17
 20.2
 19
 22.5


 Lochee
 S02000214
 39
 29.3
 23
 17.8
 27
 20.9


 Baxter Park
 S02000215
 8
 14.0
 9
 15.8
 12
 21.1


 Charleston
 S02000216
 16
 19.4
 24
 29.7
 14
 17.3


 The Glens
 S02000217
 20
 17.7
 30
 27.4
 26
 23.7


 Douglas East
 S02000218
 6
 8.2
 22
 31.3
 15
 21.3


 Fairmuir
 S02000219
 22
 19.8
 32
 29.2
 20
 18.2


 Western Edge
 S02000220
 11
 35.7
 7
 20.9
 11
 32.8


 Linlathen and Midcraigie
 S02000221
 22
 31.1
 25
 35.6
 12
 17.1


 Douglas West
 S02000222
 23
 27.3
 22
 26.6
 22
 26.6


 Caird Park
 S02000223
 5
 10.5
 9
 19.0
 10
 21.1


 West Pitkerro
 S02000224
 5
 18.4
 3
 10.3
 5
 17.1


 Ardler and St Marys
 S02000225
 30
 33.8
 24
 26.2
 33
 36.1


 Whitfield
 S02000226
 12
 20.2
 10
 16.4
 7
 11.5


 Downfield
 S02000227
 12
 13.7
 19
 21.5
 11
 12.4


 Kirkton
 S02000228
 5
 12.0
 10
 23.0
 8
 18.4


 Fintry
 S02000229
 21
 27.9
 18
 23.5
 15
 19.6



  Source: Scottish Morbidity Record SMR01 linked database – in-patient/day case discharge summaries from non-obstetric/non-psychiatric specialties.

  PInformation for 2005 should be regarded as provisional.

  Notes:

  1. Rates are presented per 1,000 population.

  2. Elderly patients are defined as those of age 65 years and over on admission to hospital.

  3. Falls are defined from using the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision (ICD10) codes W00-W19, in any position.

  4. Dundee is defined as Dundee City Council Area.

Crofting

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive why the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants Scheme is being moved from Tier 2 to Tier 3 of the Land Management Contracts menu scheme.

Rhona Brankin: The Crofting Counties Agricultural Grant Scheme (CCAGS) is not in either Tier of Land Management Contracts (LMC) scheme at present. Following the consultation exercise on the SRDP ministers are considering whether CCAGS should be included in LMCs and if so which tier is appropriate.

Crofting

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether funding from the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants Scheme will be ring fenced to crofters and, if not, for whom such funding will be available.

Rhona Brankin: Funding for the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grant Scheme (CCAGS) is not ring-fenced and there are no plans to introduce ring fencing. In recent years, resources for CCAGS have not been fully utilised due to the lack of demand from crofters and others currently eligible.

Crofting

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a commitment to publish its response to the Environment and Rural Development Committee’s Stage 1 report on the Crofting Reform etc. Bill at least two weeks before the date of the stage 1 debate on the bill.

Rhona Brankin: Ministers are currently considering their response to the Environment and Rural Development Committee’s stage 1 report on the Crofting Reform etc. Bill and will respond constructively before the stage 1 debate on the bill.

  The Scottish Executive does not publish responses to stage 1 reports on bills, that responsibility lies with the Scottish Parliament and it is for the Parliament to decide when such documents are published.

Crofting

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to amend the Crofting Reform etc. Bill, in light of the Environment and Rural Development Committee’s Stage 1 report on the bill.

Rhona Brankin: The Scottish Parliament will debate the Environment and Rural Development Committee’s stage 1 report and the Scottish Executive’s response to the report at the stage 1 debate. The debate is to be held on 27 September 2006. Any proposals to amend the bill will be discussed during the debate and taken forward after that date.

Crofting

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what skills will be sought from candidates in the recruitment process for a new chairman of the Crofters Commission.

Rhona Brankin: A person specification for the post of chair of the Crofters Commission is being prepared for clearance by ministers and the assessor appointed by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland. Once agreed, a copy will be placed in the Parliament library and it will be freely available to anyone who wishes to see it.

Deaf and Hearing Impaired People

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve access to the countryside for deaf people.

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve and enhance the recreational and educational experiences of deaf people visiting the countryside.

Rhona Brankin: Section 15 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 gives a power to local authorities and national park authorities to install and maintain means of contributing to the comfort and convenience of those exercising access rights, and in exercising this power they are required to have regard to the needs of people with disabilities.

  Scottish Natural Heritage has recently published a report on research aimed at finding out the special requirements that deaf people have when visiting the countryside. The report includes a number of recommendations that could be taken forward relatively easily and quickly by all bodies responsible for the provision of access, when running an event, providing facilities and having a centre or site that is open to the public.

Dentistry

Richard Lochhead (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many calls have been made to emergency dental treatment helplines in each NHS board area in each of the last five years, also showing year-on-year percentage changes.

Lewis Macdonald: This information is not held centrally.

Diabetes

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the hospital admission rates for diabetes have been in Dundee in each of the last three years for which information is available, broken down by postcode area.

Mr Andy Kerr: The number of hospital admissions for which diabetes was recorded as the principle diagnosis is shown in table 1. Table 2 includes all hospital admissions for which diabetes was recorded as either a principle or a secondary diagnosis.

  Due to confidentiality issues associated with small numbers, the information requested has been presented by intermediate geography zone rather than postcode area in the tables.

  Table 1. Hospital Admission Rates1 for Patients Admitted for Diabetes2 in Dundee3; by Intermediate Zones for the Time Period Ending 31 December 2003 to 31 December 2005

  

 Intermediate Geography4
 Intermediate Geography
 2003
 2004
 2005P


 Description
 Code
 Number
 Rate1
 Number
 Rate1
 Number
 Rate1


 Dundee City
 
 105
 0.7
 140
 1.0
 138
 1.0


 Perth Road
 S02000199
 2
 0.4
 2
 0.4
 2
 0.4


 Westend
 S02000200
 3
 0.5
 1
 0.2
 2
 0.3


 City Centre
 S02000201
 10
 2.1
 8
 1.7
 4
 0.8


 Logie and Blackness
 S02000202
 4
 0.8
 3
 0.6
 5
 1.0


 Docks and Wellgate
 S02000203
 2
 0.4
 9
 2.0
 6
 1.3


 Balgay
 S02000204
 4
 0.9
 7
 1.7
 2
 0.5


 Menzieshill
 S02000205
 4
 0.8
 3
 0.6
 9
 1.8


 Broughty Ferry Wes
 S02000206
 9
 1.8
 7
 1.4
 4
 0.8


 Craigie and Craigiebank
 S02000207
 2
 0.5
 1
 0.2
 4
 1.0


 Stobswell
 S02000208
 6
 1.3
 4
 0.9
 5
 1.1


 Law
 S02000209
 3
 0.8
 2
 0.5
 6
 1.6


 West Ferry
 S02000210
 1
 0.3
 5
 1.5
 3
 0.9


 Hilltown
 S02000211
 5
 0.9
 4
 0.7
 2
 0.3


 Barnhill
 S02000212
 2
 0.4
 1
 0.2
 2
 0.4


 Broughty Ferry East
 S02000213
 0
 0.0
 4
 1.0
 1
 0.2


 Lochee
 S02000214
 7
 1.3
 2
 0.4
 3
 0.5


 Baxter Park
 S02000215
 5
 1.5
 4
 1.2
 2
 0.6


 Charleston
 S02000216
 3
 0.7
 2
 0.5
 3
 0.7


 The Glens
 S02000217
 2
 0.4
 4
 0.8
 9
 1.9


 Douglas East
 S02000218
 1
 0.3
 0
 0.0
 2
 0.6


 Fairmuir
 S02000219
 4
 0.9
 6
 1.3
 4
 0.9


 Western Edge
 S02000220
 1
 0.3
 1
 0.3
 0
 0.0


 Linlathen and Midcraigie
 S02000221
 5
 1.0
 12
 2.3
 11
 2.1


 Douglas West
 S02000222
 2
 0.5
 4
 0.9
 4
 0.9


 Caird Park
 S02000223
 1
 0.3
 1
 0.3
 4
 1.1


 West Pitkerro
 S02000224
 1
 0.2
 1
 0.2
 2
 0.5


 Ardler and St Marys
 S02000225
 5
 0.9
 11
 2.1
 9
 1.7


 Whitfield
 S02000226
 3
 0.6
 8
 1.5
 9
 1.7


 Downfield
 S02000227
 1
 0.2
 4
 0.8
 6
 1.2


 Kirkton
 S02000228
 6
 1.5
 7
 1.7
 9
 2.2


 Fintry
 S02000229
 1
 0.2
 12
 2.2
 4
 0.7



  Table 2. Hospital Admission Rates1 for People with Diabetes5 in Dundee3; by Intermediate Zones for the Time Period Ending 31 December 2003 to 31 December 2005

  

 Intermediate Geography4
 Intermediate Geography
 2003
 2004
 2005P


 Description
 Code
 Number
 Rate1
 Number
 Rate1
 Number
 Rate1


 Dundee City
 
 1,556
 10.9
 1,781
 12.6
 2,086
 14.7


 Perth Road
 S02000199
 16
 3.0
 23
 4.4
 45
 8.7


 Westend
 S02000200
 30
 4.8
 23
 3.6
 27
 4.2


 City Centre
 S02000201
 32
 6.6
 27
 5.4
 36
 7.2


 Logie and Blackness
 S02000202
 48
 9.2
 48
 9.5
 62
 12.3


 Docks and Wellgate
 S02000203
 42
 9.2
 49
 11.0
 55
 12.3


 Balgay
 S02000204
 46
 10.9
 75
 18.0
 66
 15.8


 Menzieshill
 S02000205
 63
 12.8
 80
 16.7
 119
 24.9


 Broughty Ferry Wes
 S02000206
 59
 11.6
 71
 13.7
 71
 13.7


 Craigie and Craigiebank
 S02000207
 80
 19.1
 71
 17.1
 101
 24.3


 Stobswell
 S02000208
 48
 10.2
 58
 12.0
 73
 15.1


 Law
 S02000209
 60
 15.8
 58
 15.4
 89
 23.6


 West Ferry
 S02000210
 17
 5.2
 43
 13.1
 47
 14.4


 Hilltown
 S02000211
 65
 11.2
 63
 10.8
 62
 10.6


 Barnhill
 S02000212
 66
 13.0
 54
 10.7
 56
 11.1


 Broughty Ferry East
 S02000213
 31
 7.7
 55
 14.0
 48
 12.2


 Lochee
 S02000214
 82
 14.8
 133
 24.7
 105
 19.5


 Baxter Park
 S02000215
 41
 12.3
 44
 13.3
 57
 17.2


 Charleston
 S02000216
 51
 12.5
 55
 13.9
 49
 12.4


 The Glens
 S02000217
 88
 18.4
 81
 17.3
 123
 26.3


 Douglas East
 S02000218
 54
 15.4
 62
 18.2
 58
 17.0


 Fairmuir
 S02000219
 67
 14.4
 86
 18.9
 89
 19.5


 Western Edge
 S02000220
 11
 3.6
 15
 4.9
 14
 4.5


 Linlathen and Midcraigie
 S02000221
 59
 11.3
 71
 13.6
 87
 16.7


 Douglas West
 S02000222
 71
 16.0
 78
 18.5
 114
 27.0


 Caird Park
 S02000223
 32
 9.1
 46
 13.4
 52
 15.1


 West Pitkerro
 S02000224
 19
 4.4
 16
 3.6
 24
 5.4


 Ardler and St Marys
 S02000225
 80
 15.1
 80
 15.1
 106
 20.0


 Whitfield
 S02000226
 64
 11.8
 50
 9.1
 53
 9.7


 Downfield
 S02000227
 36
 7.0
 61
 12.1
 59
 11.7


 Kirkton
 S02000228
 39
 9.7
 42
 10.8
 69
 17.7


 Fintry
 S02000229
 59
 10.8
 63
 11.7
 70
 13.0



  Source: ISD Scotland. Scottish Morbidity Record SMR01 linked database – in-patient/day case discharge summaries from non-obstetric/non-psychiatric specialties.

  PInformation for 2005 should be regarded as provisional.

  Notes:

  1. Rates are presented for number of hospital admissions per 1,000 population.

  2. Diabetes in table 1 is defined using from the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision (ICD10), codes E10-E14 in the principal diagnostic position.

  3. Dundee is defined as Dundee City Council Area.

  4. The information for Dundee City in the tables are presented by "intermediate zone". These zones build on the well established postcode and census geographies and are now the key geographies for disseminating government statistics and for supporting policy making. Intermediate zones are designed to contain between 2,500 and 6,000 people and to fit within local authorities. For further information see Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics: Intermediate Geography Background Information (Scottish Executive, 2005) http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/society/snsigbi-00.asp.

  5. Diabetes in table 2 is defined using from the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision (ICD10), codes E10-E14 in any position. Up to six diagnoses (one principle, five secondary) are recorded on the SMR01 returns. All six diagnoses have been used to select diabetes.

Digital Technology

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving cities to develop city-wide wi-fi networks.

Nicol Stephen: Wi-fi is a fast developing market and some Scottish cities are now seeing large scale networks deployed commercially. The Executive is not providing any financial support but is engaging with operators and local authorities and monitoring developments.

Economy

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the contribution to the Scottish economy of workers from the A8 countries.

Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive currently has no specific information on the direct economic contribution to the Scottish economy of workers from the A8 countries other than the data provided in the Accession Monitoring Report May 2004 – June 2006 , which provides information on the number of A8 country workers registering for employment in Scotland by age, sex and by industrial sector over the period from 1 May 2004 to 30 June 2006.

Education

Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many young people in Dumfries and Galloway were in receipt of Education Maintenance Allowance in (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2005-06.

Nicol Stephen: 607 young people received Education Maintenance Allowances in Dumfries and Galloway in 2004-05 – 157 at college and 450 at school. Statistics for 2005-06 will be published in November.

Enterprise

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is available to people under 30 who want to start up their own businesses.

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is available to people over 30 who want to start up their own businesses.

Nicol Stephen: In the Scottish Enterprise area, Business Gateway provides a first stop shop for all forms of business support available from Scottish Enterprise and local partners including services to assist new business starts. Specifically aimed at young people in the 18 to 30 age group, there is a £1,000 start-up grant available.

  In the Highlands and Islands area, access to business support for start-ups is available through Highlands and Islands Enterprise’s network of ten Local Enterprise Companies (LECs).

Environment

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive why it has not yet introduced measures to bring sites included in the extension to An Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes under the protection of the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) (Scotland) Order 1992 and when it will do so, given the commitment in paragraph 2.14 of Scottish Historic Environment Policy 3: Gardens and Designed Landscapes to amend the legislation at the earliest opportunity.

Patricia Ferguson: I can confirm that the intention is to make the amendment at the first suitable legislative opportunity. It is likely that this change will be made along with other appropriate Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) (Scotland) Order 1992 (GDPO) amendments the timing of which is yet to be determined.

Environment

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in light of the scope of the European Landscape Convention and the Executive’s own acknowledgement of the contribution made by designed landscapes of regional or local significance to the wider landscape and to the well-being of local communities, it will extend the scope of Scottish Historic Environment Policy 3 - Gardens and Designed Landscapes to include the totality of Scotland’s garden heritage and not just those nationally important sites which are included in An Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes .

Patricia Ferguson: The consultation period for responses to Scottish Historic Environment Policy 3 about Gardens and Designed Landscapes ended on 23 June 2006. The consultation document proposed that it will be for planning authorities to consider gardens and designed landscapes which may not meet the criteria set for national importance but which nevertheless make a contribution to the local historic environment in the context of local priorities. The responses to the consultation are under consideration.

Environment

Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will fund the implementation and future maintenance of core paths once they have been identified, taking into account the on-going need to resolve access complaints arising from the planning process in respect of such paths.

Rhona Brankin: Part 1 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 gives access authorities the power to undertake the maintenance of core paths. Exercise of that power is a matter for the discretion of individual authorities and they will need to determine the extent of any such activity on the basis of their assessment of local needs and priorities and having regard to the availability of funds within their overall budget. Funding for work on paths is also available from other sources, including land management contracts under the Scottish Rural Development Programme. Decisions on funding for local government and other programmes beyond 2007-08 are a matter for the next Spending Review which is due to take place next year.

Fair Trade

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when the cross-party group on fair trade, set up to consider how Scotland can achieve Fair Trade Nation status, will next meet.

Patricia Ferguson: The next meeting of the cross-party group on fair trade will be in October or November 2006.

Fair Trade

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the membership of the cross-party group on fair trade, set up to consider how Scotland can achieve Fair Trade Nation status, will be expanded.

Patricia Ferguson: At the last meeting of the cross-party group on 15 June 2006, members discussed how its membership might change and how the group might bring on board representation from the wider fair trade community. Since that meeting officials have been consulting with stakeholders on the best way to do this, and this will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cross Party Group.

Fair Trade

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when it anticipates that the cross-party group on fair trade will adopt criteria for Fair Trade Nation status for Scotland.

Patricia Ferguson: The criteria by which Scotland will measure itself against to achieve Fair Trade Nation status has already been agreed. Following our discussions with the Welsh Assembly Government, members of the cross-party group on fair trade were given the opportunity to comment on the criteria selected both at the meeting on 15 June 2006 and through subsequent email exchanges. The final criteria announced by the First Minister on 3 July 2006 reflects the views of group members.

Forestry

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of the grants awarded from the additional top-up to the Scottish Forestry Grants Scheme of £6 million; for which forests these grants were awarded, giving the addresses of each area for which a grant was awarded, and which species were to be planted in each area.

Rhona Brankin: Forestry Commission Scotland has not yet determined a detailed breakdown of how the £6 million will be allocated but it will largely be used to fund current approved contracts and to support landowners who are restocking as part of the long-term forest plans system which was introduced a few years ago.

  However, details of grant payments made up to and including Friday 18 August 2006 have been published on the web pages of Forestry Commission Scotland and can be viewed at:

  www.forestry.gov.uk/sfgsgrantdetails.

  These details will be updated throughout the financial year.

Fresh Talent Initiative

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has established the one-stop advisory service for the Fresh Talent initiative announced in its news release of 24 September 2003.

Mr Tom McCabe: Yes. The Relocation Advisory Service has been operational since October 2004. To date over 11,500 people from over 150 countries have received advice from the service.

  The service is free and can be accessed in a number of ways:

  Use the online form at www.scotlandistheplace.com

  Email the team at info@scotlandistheplace.com

  By telephone +44 141 248 2808

  Or in writing to Relocation Advisory Service, Scottish Executive, Third Floor, Meridian Court, 5 Cadogan Street, Glasgow G2 6AT.

Further and Higher Education

Margaret Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-26029 by Nicol Stephen on 6 June 2006, how its guidance issued to further and higher education colleges in May 2005 meets the requirements of HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIE); why HMIE has raised the issue of enhanced disclosure for staff in a position of trust with students under 18 or vulnerable adults in inspection reports, and why students under 18 and vulnerable adult learners are still exposed to risk as a result of non-compulsion of disclosure checks of college staff.

Nicol Stephen: HMIE’s expectations in this area are founded on legislation, Lifelong Partners (the Scottish Executive’s school-college partnership strategy), and its own evaluation of existing good practice. HMIE were heavily involved in both the policy development for Lifelong Partners, and in the production of the accompanying guidance documents. College review reports routinely comment on the effectiveness of child protection arrangements, including college policies and procedures and arrangements for disclosure. During its reviews, HMIE uses the Standards and Quality in Scottish Further Education Quality Framework for Scottish FE Colleges (May 2004). In line with this framework and relevant legislation, HMIE expects that colleges:

  have relevant policies and procedures in place (including disclosure) and that these are implemented effectively when necessary;

  have a nominated protection co-ordinator/s;

  undertake Enhanced Disclosure for staff working regularly with pupils and students under 18 years of age, and with vulnerable adults, and

  provide appropriate staff development and training in the area of protecting young people and staff.

  Where colleges fail to meet these expectations adequately, HMIE will raise the issue in inspection reports, and Colleges are required to submit an action plan to the Scottish Funding Council for Further and Higher Education to bring about improvement. Progress against this plan is then monitored by HMIE.

  On the general issue of compulsion of disclosure checks, the Protection of Children (Scotland) Act 2003 requires that educational establishments take reasonable steps to ensure that people working in them are not on the Disqualified from Working with Children List (DWCL). However, a new vetting and barring scheme, building on the current system and the recommendations from the Bichard inquiry, is currently being developed. According to this, there will be a list and arrangements for the protection of adults at risk as well as a need for all those working in child care or "adult at risk" settings to register with the new scheme. This will be done via an enhanced disclosure in the first instance, which can then be updated should any new information come into the system. Legislation to provide the framework for the new scheme is proposed for this autumn, with an implementation programme for the new scheme commencing at the end of 2007.

  While disclosure checks provide a valuable contribution to the protection of young people and vulnerable adults, this does not remove the need for robust recruitment practices and sound child protection policies and procedures.

Genetically Modified Food

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been consulted by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in respect of the application by BASF Plant Science to seek permission to grow GM potatoes in trial sites in England and, if so, whether it will provide details of the consultation.

Rhona Brankin: No.

Genetically Modified Food

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to prohibit the planting of GM potatoes in Scotland.

Rhona Brankin: The Scottish Executive does not have the legal powers to ban the planting of any GM crop which has received European approval for cultivation. GM legislation requires that approved GMOs move freely in the single market. Under the legislation a country can take out emergency measures (safeguard action) where there is new evidence that an approved GMO represents a serious risk to human health and the environment.

  At present there are no GM potatoes with approval for commercial cultivation in Europe

Genetically Modified Food

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to ban the sale in Scotland of GM potatoes grown elsewhere.

Rhona Brankin: If a GM potato has received a consent under the Food and Feed Regulation 1829/2003 to allow it to be used as food or feed then it cannot be banned anywhere in the European Union. They would however, under the same Regulation, have to be labelled as genetically modified to allow consumer choice.

Genetically Modified Food

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scotland imports rice via the Netherlands and, if so, whether it has made any representations to the Dutch authorities following the recent discovery of illegal GM rice in a cargo from the United States of America.

Rhona Brankin: According to information obtained from HM Revenue and Customs, no rice which originated outside the EU and which did not complete EU import requirements in the Netherlands was moved directly to Scotland within the last 18 months. Goods which complete EU import requirements in one Member State may move elsewhere within the EU without further formality. The Executive has made no representations to the Dutch authorities on this matter.

Genetically Modified Food

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will recommend the use of the strip test for the LL601 variety of genetically modified rice, developed by Strategic Diagnostics Inc and recently verified by the US Department of Agriculture’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration.

Lewis Macdonald: The method validated by GIPSA on 31 August 2006 has a reported sensitivity of 2%, which is not suitable for samples containing the low levels of LLRICE601 that have been reported in the USA.

Genetically Modified Food

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive who will meet the cost of any testing for the LL601 variety of genetically modified rice in Scotland and what information it has about who will meet the cost of such testing in the (a) rest of the United Kingdom and (b) European Union.

Lewis Macdonald: The cost of testing will be paid by the person arranging the test, unless they have made arrangements for another party to cover the costs.

Genetically Modified Food

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage level of detection it considers necessary to trigger testing for genetically modified contaminants in the Scottish food supply.

Lewis Macdonald: The need for widespread testing for any contaminant or unauthorised ingredient cannot be defined on the basis of a numerical threshold, but is determined on the basis of the risk to consumers.

Genetically Modified Food

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has authorised any testing of rice to establish whether it has been contaminated with the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) variety of genetically modified rice.

Lewis Macdonald: Sampling and testing of food is undertaken by local authorities under their own authority, without reference to central government.

Genetically Modified Food

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has available a test for the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) variety of genetically modified rice.

Lewis Macdonald: The Food Standards Agency has advised me that sampling and testing of food are undertaken by local authorities, and that any tests for genetically modified ingredients will be carried out by public analysts. Bt rice will be detectable using non-specific tests for genetically modified crops. The FSA is not aware of any validated method that is specific only for Bt rice. Genetically modified foods are only authorised if there is a specific, validated analytical method available for control purposes.

Genetically Modified Food

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much testing it carries out for unauthorised varieties of genetically modified rice.

Lewis Macdonald: The Food Standards Agency has informed me that sampling and testing of food is undertaken by local authorities. Information on the number of tests carried out for specific purposes is not held centrally.

Genetically Modified Food

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what communications it has had with China, the European Union and the UK Government following reports of unauthorised genetically modified rice from China entering the UK food supply chain.

Lewis Macdonald: The Food Standards Agency informs me that it discussed these reports with the European Commission and other member states at a meeting of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health on 11 September. The agency has been informed of a report of genetically modified material in a Chinese rice product on the French market.

Genetically Modified Food

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken to ensure that food importers do not import unauthorised genetically modified rice from China, following reports of contamination in the UK food supply.

Lewis Macdonald: I am informed by the Food Standards Agency that reports of unauthorised genetically modified material being present in rice products imported from China are being investigated by the FSA in co-operation with the European Commission.

Genetically Modified Food

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had about taking legal action against food importers whose products contain unauthorised genetically modified varieties.

Lewis Macdonald: The Food Standards Agency informs me that it has had no discussions on this issue. Enforcement of food law is the responsibility of local authorities, who take appropriate action against food businesses when they find cases of non-compliance with food law. The action taken will depend on the circumstances of each case.

Genetically Modified Food

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what communication it has had with the British Retail Consortium following reports of unauthorised genetically modified rice from China in the UK food supply chain.

Lewis Macdonald: The Food Standards Agency has informed me that it has had no communication specifically relating to reports of genetically modified rice from China with the British Retail Consortium.

Genetically Modified Food

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the costs to US agriculture arising from contamination incidents involving genetically modified (a) Starlin maize, (b) Prodigene soya and maize, (c) Bt10 maize and (d) LL601 rice.

Rhona Brankin: None.

Health

Dr Jean Turner (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Ind): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-27336 by Nicol Stephen on 28 August 2006, what efforts are being made to ensure that medical innovations which receive public funding are piloted by the NHS.

Lewis Macdonald: It would not be appropriate or possible for all medical innovations to be piloted in the NHS.

  The responsibility for determining the means of progressing medical innovations therefore lies with those funding the innovation. This applies equally to public and private funders of research and development.

Health

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of patients who received long-term care from the NHS in 2005-06 had to pay towards their care.

Lewis Macdonald: People who receive long-term care from the NHS do not pay for that care.

Higher Education

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what publicly-funded assistance is available to mature students to study law and subsequently train as lawyers.

Nicol Stephen: Full details of the support available to students undertaking a BA in Law and subsequently a Diploma in Legal Practices can be found on the Student Awards Agency for Scotland’s website www.saas.gov.uk .

Immigration

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what involvement it or any of its agencies have had with the returntoscotland.com project.

Mr Tom McCabe: The Scottish Executive has no involvement with this project. With regard to the other agencies this is a matter for individual agencies. The information requested is not held centrally.

Immigration

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how it attempts to encourage expatriate Scots to return.

Mr Tom McCabe: We welcome all talented and hard working people who want to live and work in Scotland and contribute to growing Scotland’s economy. The New Scots report, published in February 2004, recognised that we would need to target our efforts and the Scots diaspora was identified as one group who have a strong emotional and cultural link with Scotland, and expatriate Scots are an important part of this group.

  To help take this work forward, the First Minister launched the diaspora Strategy in October 2005, and in March 2006 the first edition of the quarterly e-magazine Scotland-Now was published. The e-magazine connects Scots and those with an affinity to Scotland with modern Scotland. Showcasing Scotland as a great place to live and work, visit, study and invest.

Immigration

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how it measures the success of the www.scotlandistheplace.com website.

Mr Tom McCabe: The scotlandistheplace.com website was set up as part of the Relocation Advisory Service to offer a comprehensive and interactive advice service to those interested in living and working in Scotland. The success of www.scotlandistheplace.com is assessed by tracking the number of visits to the web site and the number of enquiries that are made to the Relocation Advisory Service via the e mail links on www.scotlandistheplace.com .

  The Relocation Advisory Service is a three year pilot project and a review of phase 2 is currently underway. The phase 2 evaluation of the Relocation Advisory Service includes a survey of customers and qualitative research with customers, some of whom will have had cause to use the website. There will also be a specific survey of website users.

Information Technology

Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has invested to provide broadband connectivity in Dumfries and Galloway.

Nicol Stephen: The Executive has invested £16.5 million (including support from the European Regional Development Fund) implementing a Scotland-wide project which has delivered broadband access for every Scottish community. A separate figure for broadband investment under this project in Dumfries and Galloway is not available but investment in the South of Scotland amounts to at least £2.5 million.

  In addition, the Executive is investing up to £27 million in the South of Scotland to provide broadband connectivity to public sector sites as part of the Pathfinder project.

Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003

Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it has made available to finance core path planning by local authorities, as required by the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003.

Rhona Brankin: At the time of the introduction of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, and with the agreement of COSLA, provision of £7.4/£8.1 million was reallocated to the GAE line for the Remainder of Leisure and Recreation, to help fund access from 2004-05. These sums were intended to make provision for funding of core path planning as well as other access functions. They are not ring fenced but part of the block grant the Executive provides to local authorities. Each local authority is responsible for deciding how best to allocate their share of the block grant based on their local needs and priorities.

Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003

Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that funding made available to finance core path planning by local authorities is adequate, given that the core path planning process which is due to be completed by 2008 has not started in approximately 50% of the Perth and Kinross Council area and that funding for one of the council’s Access Officer posts is due to end in March 2007.

Rhona Brankin: Drawing up a plan of core paths by February 2008 is a statutory obligation for local authorities under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. Failure to meet statutory obligations is not an option for local authorities. This is a matter of prioritising within available funding consistent with the general principles of the local government funding arrangements. The top priority for local authorities must be to fulfil their statutory obligations.

Marine Environment

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether cetaceans are displaced from the sea area around the Cape Wrath firing range during naval exercises.

Rhona Brankin: I understand that there is no evidence to suggest that cetaceans are displaced from the sea area around Cape Wrath during naval exercises.

  All matters relating to the defence of the United Kingdom remain the direct responsibility of the UK Government. Naval exercises are therefore a reserved matter which falls within the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

  As a result of liaison with local communities, landowners, fishing organisations and agencies of the Scottish Executive, careful mitigation measures are taken to minimise any possible environmental impact of the naval exercises and to ensure compliance with all legal and policy requirements.

Marine Environment

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence there is of unusual additional numbers of cetaceans in sea areas adjacent to the Northern and Western Isles during the period of naval exercises around Cape Wrath when advanced sonar equipment is in use.

Rhona Brankin: I understand that there is no evidence to suggest that there are unusual numbers of cetaceans in sea areas adjacent to the Northern and Western Isles during the period of naval exercises around Cape Wrath.

  All matters relating to the defence of the United Kingdom remain the direct responsibility of the UK Government. Naval exercises are therefore a reserved matter which falls within the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

  As a result of liaison with local communities, landowners, fishing organisations and agencies of the Scottish Executive, careful mitigation measures are taken to minimise any possible environmental impact of the naval exercises and to ensure compliance with all legal and policy requirements.

Ministerial Visits

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many ministerial visits have taken place in each year since 2002, broken down by local authority area.

Mr Tom McCabe: The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

NHS Staff

Shona Robison (Dundee East) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many podiatric surgeons there have been in each of the last five years, broken down by NHS board.

Mr Andy Kerr: Centrally held information does not explicitly identify podiatric surgeons employed in NHSScotland.

  Information on staff employed in NHSScotland is published on the Scottish Health Statistics website under Workforce Statistics, at www.isdscotland.org/workforce.

Non-Domestic Rates

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many empty buildings have been wholly or partially exempted from business rates in each of the last two years and how much additional business rate revenue would have been raised if these buildings had been fully occupied.

Mr Tom McCabe: We do not collect or hold centrally data relating to the number of empty buildings in Scotland. However, an estimate of the total amount of non-domestic rates not collected due to properties being unoccupied or partly occupied is available from Scottish Executive non-domestic rates returns. The total amount estimated for 2004-05, as reported in the final audited return, is £116,955,932. The provisional (not yet audited) figure for 2005-06 is £130,667,734.

  These figures however are only indicative of the potential additional revenue that could be collected, as the rateable values of these unoccupied properties could be subject to revaluation following occupation, or a range of other forms of relief, depending on the status of the business.

Non-Domestic Rates

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many companies (a) failed and (b) reduced operations in each of the last five years as a result of problems paying business rates, broken down by local authority area.

Mr Tom McCabe: The information requested is not held centrally.

Ombudsmen

Richard Lochhead (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent the recommendations issued by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman to public bodies are monitored and enforced and whether any new measures are planned in this regard.

George Lyon: The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) is independent of Scottish ministers. Responsibility for the monitoring and enforcement of SPSO recommendations rests with that office-holder, exercising as necessary the powers provided for in the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act 2002. There are no plans for change in this regard.

Planning

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it would consider inserting reference to Planning Aid for Scotland on the face of the Planning etc. (Scotland) Bill or in regulations as a source of free and independent advice to the public on planning matters.

Johann Lamont: We have no plans to include a reference to Planning Aid for Scotland in legislation. The services of the organisation are already well known to, and promoted by, planning authorities and a wide range of community groups.

  In addition to financial support, Planning Aid is endorsed by the Scottish Executive in a number of ways including in the Planning Advice Note on Community Engagement and on the planning page of the Executive’s website.

Planning

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to provide core funding to Planning Aid for Scotland beyond its current three-year contract.

Johann Lamont: Budgets beyond March 2008 will be set in autumn 2007 following the next Spending Review.

Planning

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider increasing core funding for Planning Aid for Scotland to allow the establishment of regional offices accessible to the public.

Johann Lamont: We have no plans to increase core funding beyond the £100,000 p.a. grant awarded until financial year 2007-08. Budgets beyond March 2008 will be set in autumn 2007 following the next Spending Review.

Roads

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to (a) examine the case for and (b) construct a bypass for the southern side of Dumfries.

Tavish Scott: The Strategic Transport Projects Review will consider transport corridors across Scotland, including Dumfries and South West Scotland.

Scottish Enterprise

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what support it provides to newly formed companies beyond that provided by the Scottish Enterprise Network.

Nicol Stephen: The delivery of business support is mainly a matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. However, there are a number of schemes delivered or funded directly by the Scottish Executive.

  Support is available under SMART, SPUR and SPURPLUS grant schemes for newly-formed companies to carry out projects to develop new products and processes. Additional support through the SCORE programme is available to assist companies undertaking research and development projects in collaboration with the research base. The Innovators Counselling and Advisory Service for Scotland (ICASS) provides free and impartial expert advice on the development and protection of innovative ideas to Scotland’s lone inventors and small innovative companies.

  In regard to investment, Regional Selective Assistance provides discretionary grants that create or safeguard jobs in Assisted Areas - areas designated for regional aid under European community law.

  The Executive funds the Carbon Trust in Scotland to assist companies in becoming more energy efficient, reducing their carbon emissions and saving on their energy bills. For new companies, the trust offers design advice to help them make the most of low carbon technologies, install effective energy controls and ensure that buildings are economically responsible.

Scottish Enterprise

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much, and what percentage, of Scottish Enterprise’s budget has been allocated to training in each of the last five years.

Nicol Stephen: Details of Scottish Enterprise’s expenditure on Skills and Training are published annually in their accounts. The accounts provide information on both gross (total operating income) and net (Grant in Aid) expenditure. The figures in the table below show gross expenditure and include the cost of delivering Careers Scotland services. Additionally, an amount is paid each year from the Department for Work and Pensions to Scottish Enterprise for the cost of training allowances paid to participants in some schemes, and that amount is shown separately.

  

 
Gross Expenditure (£ Million)
Skills and Learning (£ Million)
 %
From DWP (£ Million)


 2001-02
 482.661
 114.091
 23.6%
 15.441


 2002-03
 503.603
 132.468
 26.3%
 15.747


 2003-04
 496.123
 120.121
 24.2%
 11.893


 2004-05
 489.654
 133.025
 27.2%
 6.451


 2005-06
 519.214
 134.582
 25.9%
 2.393

Scottish Medicines Consortium

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any applications have been made to license Elaprase for use in Scotland.

Lewis Macdonald: Licensing of medicines is reserved and is the responsibility of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Before a medicine can be placed on the UK market it must have a marketing authorisation either from the MHRA or the European Medicines Agency (EMEA). The MHRA has advised that Elaprase does not have a UK marketing authorisation, but an application is pending with the EMEA.

  Information about the MHRA and its work can be found at www.mhra.gov.uk.

Scottish Medicines Consortium

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Medicines Consortium has considered the use of Elaprase and, if so, what the outcome was.

Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has not considered the use of Elaprase. The SMC assessment process will not begin until a medicine receives a marketing authorisation.

  When available, the SMC advice will be posted on their website www.scottishmedicines.org.

Smoking

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S2W-27562 and S2O-10418 by Lewis Macdonald on 21 August 2006 and Mr Andy Kerr on 21 August and 7 September 2006 respectively, what studies it has undertaken in order to arrive at the conclusion that there is no evidence to suggest that there has been an increase in public disorder since the introduction of the ban on smoking in enclosed public places.

Lewis Macdonald: We have undertaken no such studies. We have asked the Royal Environmental Health Institute for Scotland (REHIS) to keep this issue under review.

Sport

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many local sport strategies it has promoted in each year since 1999.

Patricia Ferguson: Sportscotland, on behalf of the Executive, works closely with all 32 local authorities in developing sporting opportunities within their areas. The development of sport strategies within the community planning process is an integral part of the strategic development of sport at the local level.

Student Finance

Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many students domiciled in Dumfries and Galloway have been in receipt of young students’ bursaries in each year since 2001.

Nicol Stephen: The following table highlights the number of young students’ bursary (YSB) recipients who were domiciled in the Dumfries and Galloway council area since academic year 2001-02:

  

 Academic Year
 All Students Receiving Young Students’ Bursary (YSB)
 Number of YSB Recipients from Dumfries and Galloway Council Area


 2001-02
 13,235
 345


 2002-03
 21,870
 600


 2003-04
 27,855
 790


 2004-05
 31,500
 825


 2005-06
 35,105
 910



  Source: Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS), Scottish Executive.

Student Finance

Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many students domiciled in Dumfries and Galloway have been in receipt of mature students’ bursaries in each year since 2001.

Nicol Stephen: The mature students’ bursary was discontinued for all new students from academic year 1995-96 onwards. In order to receive this bursary students had to satisfy eligibility in 1994-95 and be in continuing education subsequently.

  No students from Dumfries and Galloway received a mature students’ bursary from academic year 2001-02 onwards.

Tourism

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many bookings for outdoor activities have been made through visitscotland.com since its launch (a) in total and (b) broken down by tourist board area.

Patricia Ferguson: Visitscotland.com acts as an important source of information to our many visitors who come to Scotland to participate in outdoor activities. It provides information about the outdoor activities on offer, as well as providing a facility for booking accommodation as part of the visit. It also provides and takes bookings for a range of pre-packaged products such as events-based breaks which include accommodation as well as a ticket for the event. It does not, however, take bookings directly for outdoor activities which are not part of these packages, although it will refer enquirers to the appropriate provider if they wish to make a booking.

Wildlife

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to combat the impact of squirrel pox virus and whether it has committed any funding to research into the disease and its impact on red squirrels.

Rhona Brankin: The Scottish Executive has committed funding for a five year programme of work being undertaken by the Moredun Research Institute to monitor the impact of squirrel pox virus. A separate research tender is due to be published shortly to commission work on the transmission routes of squirrel pox virus. Evidence from the study would be used to inform red squirrel conservation policy development and implementation.

Wildlife

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how it is taking forward its action plan to protect red squirrels, following the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) conference on red squirrels in February 2006, and what action will be taken.

Rhona Brankin: Recent reports of an increase in the incidence of squirrel pox virus in the South of Scotland have required an urgent response from SNH and FCS both of whom have supported additional measures for red squirrel conservation which are now underway. Options for a longer term strategy have been evaluated by SNH and FCS at my request. SNH will take these into account in developing its plans for prioritisation of different species management programmes in their Species Framework and which I hope to discuss with them later this year.